Intended Parents

What are the Options of Financing a Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is expensive, but there are many ways that intended parents can finance the process to make it more affordable.

Because of the number of people and services required in a surrogacy, including the surrogate mother’s commitment and its advanced medical procedures and legal complexities, the surrogacy process can be expensive — often $60,000–$100,000, or more.

While most families don’t have that kind of money lying around, prospective intended parents should not be discouraged by the cost of surrogacy. There are many surrogacy financing options available to help make this path to parenthood a more affordable option.

The following includes information about financing your surrogacy, as well as practical tips for affording surrogacy as an average family. Below, find surrogacy loans, grants, fundraising ideas, and more.

Surrogacy Loans

Intended parents commonly rely on loans to help cover the costs of surrogacy. In addition to traditional lines of credit, like home equity loans and credit cards, there are also many organizations that offer financing options specifically for fertility treatments and surrogacy.

Here are some common types of loans prospective you may consider:

Home equity loans – Intended parents may be able to borrow funds using their home as collateral. These loans often require a strong credit history.

401(k) plans – Some families choose to borrow money from their retirement accounts. 401(k) loans typically allow a person to borrow up to 50 percent of his or her account balance. The money must be paid back within a certain time frame, and payments are usually made through automatic deductions from the borrower’s paycheck.

Credit cards – Some surrogacy payments may be made using credit cards. However, credit cards can quickly accumulate interest if the balance is not paid in a timely manner.

Family members – While not everyone is comfortable asking friends or family members for financial assistance, borrowing from family may be an option to help offset surrogacy costs.

Fertility financing loans – Certain financial organizations specialize in fertility financing, offering loans and payment plans for prospective parents who are struggling with infertility. Many of these financing options can also be applied to surrogacy programs. The following organizations offer fertility financing loans to prospective intended parents:

Agency financing programs – Most surrogacy agencies allow intended parents to pay on a fee schedule rather than paying for the entire surrogacy up front. Some agencies also offer their own financing programs or partner with other organizations that offer fertility loans and grants. Ask your professional for financing suggestions and see whether there are any agency loans available to you.

Surrogacy Grants

Grants are another popular option for surrogacy financing. Many organizations award these non-repayable funds to help ease the financial burden of surrogacy and other infertility treatments.

Most grants are awarded on an annual basis to families who meet an organization’s qualifications and complete the application process. Different organizations have different requirements for their grant recipients. For example, some grants require certain religious affiliations or residency within a certain state. In addition, most IVF or surrogacy grants require a diagnosis of infertility.

The following is a list of some organizations that offer surrogacy grants:

Pay it Forward Fertility Grants – awards grants that can be used toward fertility treatment at a fertility clinic that is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). The grant is available to prospective intended parents making a surrogacy plan.

Baby Quest Foundation – provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures such as egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo donation, and gestational surrogacy.

Journey to Parenthood Grant – Journey to Parenthood is a charitable organization dedicated to helping couples and individuals build families through advanced fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy as well as adoption.

Life GrantsThe Life Foundation offers grants to eligible couples and individuals up to $10,000 in value to offset the costs of infertility treatment, adoption and third party reproduction.

Surrogacy grants often rely heavily on donations. If you or anyone you know has been touched by infertility, consider donating to a surrogacy or infertility fund to help other hopeful parents grow their families.

Fundraising

There are many ways for intended parents to raise money toward their surrogacy fund. Whether you prefer to host a simple online fundraiser or get creative with special events, fundraising is a widely available option for prospective intended parents.

Ask for donations – Intended parents may simply ask for contributions to their surrogacy fund in lieu of Christmas or birthday presents.

Sell something – Consider selling a handmade product online through marketplaces like Etsy, have a garage sale, sell baked goods, or partner with a direct sales consultant (like a friend who sells Pampered Chef, for example) and ask if they would donate commission from a party you host.

Money-Saving Tips

Whether you are applying for grants, organizing fundraisers or budgeting to repay surrogacy loans, it takes time, energy and discipline to obtain the funds necessary to afford surrogacy. Here are a few additional tips for saving money and financing your surrogacy:

Consider your insurance options. Evaluate the medical costs that will be covered by your insurance, and research your options for insuring the surrogate and your baby.

Choose the right surrogacy professional. When choosing a surrogacy professional, carefully evaluate their costs, programs and fee structures. Look for hidden costs and additional expenses not included in agency fees. Make a list of professionals you are considering, and compare the costs and services each offers.

Create a dedicated savings account. Build surrogacy savings into your budget. Set aside a special fund or account for your surrogacy and save the same way you would for a college education, a new home or a big vacation.

Ask around. Reach out to other intended parents and support forums for tips and suggestions on affording surrogacy. Parents who have been through the process may be aware of additional grants, funds and loans, or they may have other suggestions for raising money.